Virgin Atlantic

Q: What are Virgin Atlantic's airline codes?

Virgin Atlantic's IATA code is VS , its ICAO code is VIR , and its callsign is VIRGIN .

VS VIR

Virgin Atlantic is a British long-haul airline based at London Heathrow and a member of SkyTeam since 2023. This guide covers its hubs, network, fleet, cabins, baggage, check-in, Flying Club and airport transportation.

43
Aircraft: 30
Destinations: LHR, MAN
Hubs: SkyTeam
Alliance

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The airline

About Virgin Atlantic

Schedules, aircraft assignments, terminals and fare rules can change. Confirm operational details directly with Virgin Atlantic before travel.

Official name: Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited
Callsign: VIRGIN
Country: United Kingdom
Founded: 1984 (first flight on 22 June 1984)
Parent company: Virgin Atlantic Limited, owned 51% by Virgin Group and 49% by Delta Air Lines
Head office: The VHQ, Crawley, West Sussex, England
Alliance: SkyTeam (member since March 2023)
Frequent-flyer program: Flying Club (uses Virgin Points)
Official website: virginatlantic.com

Virgin Atlantic is a British long-haul airline founded by Richard Branson, which made its first flight in June 1984. It is headquartered at The VHQ in Crawley, West Sussex, and its holding company is owned 51% by Virgin Group and 49% by Delta Air Lines. Virgin Atlantic joined the SkyTeam alliance in March 2023 and runs a transatlantic joint venture with Delta and Air France-KLM.

Its main hub is London Heathrow, where it uses Terminal 3, and its second UK hub is Manchester. From these airports it flies to the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, India, Africa and Asia, about 30 destinations including seasonal routes. Its leisure routes include Cancún in winter and the Caribbean islands of Barbados, Antigua, Jamaica, Grenada and St. Vincent.

The all-widebody fleet of about 43 aircraft is made up of Airbus A350-1000s, Airbus A330-900neos, Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A330-300s that are being retired.

Network

Where Virgin Atlantic flies

Routes and frequencies change with the season. Some flights sold with a VS flight number are operated by Delta or other partner airlines; check the "operated by" line when you book.

Mexico

Nonstop flights between London Heathrow and Cancún three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, from 18 October 2026 to 11 April 2027.

Caribbean

Flights from London Heathrow to Barbados, Antigua and Montego Bay, and to Grenada and St. Vincent, with short inter-island flights linking Barbados with Grenada and St. Vincent. Manchester has a winter route to Barbados.

United States and Canada

Flights from London Heathrow to New York JFK, Boston, Washington Dulles, Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Toronto, and from Manchester to New York JFK, Atlanta and Orlando.

India, Africa and Asia

Flights from London Heathrow to Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Lagos, and to Seoul Incheon, plus a seasonal winter route to Phuket from 18 October 2026.

Aircraft

Virgin Atlantic fleet

The figure of about 43 aircraft is Virgin Atlantic's all-widebody fleet. Airbus A330-900neos are joining the fleet to replace the A330-300s. The aircraft shown at booking is not guaranteed until departure.

Airbus A350-1000

Used on high-demand routes such as New York JFK, Orlando, Atlanta and Los Angeles, in two layouts with different numbers of Upper Class seats.

Airbus A330-900neo

Virgin Atlantic's newest aircraft type, used on transatlantic and leisure routes, with Upper Class, Premium and Economy cabins.

Boeing 787-9

Flies routes across the network, including the United States, India, Africa and Asia.

Airbus A330-300

Older aircraft that are being retired and replaced by the A330-900neo.

On board

Virgin Atlantic cabin classes

Cabins depend on the aircraft and route. Check the seat map and fare conditions before you buy.

Upper Class

Virgin Atlantic's business-class cabin, with lie-flat seats on every aircraft type.

Premium

A separate cabin between Upper Class and Economy, with wider seats, more legroom and a larger checked-baggage allowance than Economy.

Economy

The standard cabin, sold in several fare types with different baggage, seat-selection and change conditions. The lowest fare type, Economy Light, does not include a checked bag.

Before you fly

Practical information

Baggage Cabin bags, checked bags, missing luggage

Virgin Atlantic baggage allowances depend on the cabin, fare type, route and Flying Club status.

Carry-on

The number of cabin bags and their size and weight limits depend on fare and cabin. Upper Class passengers can bring more cabin baggage than Economy passengers. Check the limits in your booking and on virginatlantic.com.

Checked baggage

Checked bags are included on most fares but not on Economy Light. Premium and Upper Class include a larger allowance. Allowances depend on fare and route.

Special items

Sports equipment, pets, oversized items and medical equipment follow separate rules. Check the official Virgin Atlantic baggage page before you fly.

Check-in and boarding Steps before departure

Online check-in on virginatlantic.com or the Virgin Atlantic app opens 24 hours before departure and closes 70 minutes before departure. Airport check-in and bag drop normally close 60 minutes before departure, and Virgin Atlantic recommends arriving at least 3 hours before your flight. Inter-island flights in the Caribbean do not offer online check-in.

1 Confirm
Confirm the operating airline, airport and terminal.
2 Documents
Review passport, visa and entry requirements for your destination, including electronic travel authorizations where they apply.
3 Check in
Check in online or in the app as soon as it opens.
4 Boarding pass
Download the mobile boarding pass or print it.
5 Arrive early
Allow time for bag drop and security. Boarding starts about 60 minutes before departure, and you should be at the gate no later than 35 minutes before departure.

Lounges

Virgin Atlantic operates Clubhouse lounges at London Heathrow Terminal 3 and at selected airports in its network, and the Revivals arrivals lounge at Heathrow. Access depends on cabin, Flying Club or SkyTeam status, and the itinerary. Check the location and opening hours before you travel.

Loyalty program

Flying Club is Virgin Atlantic's loyalty program. Members collect Virgin Points on Virgin Atlantic, Delta, SkyTeam and other partner flights and with partner businesses, and use them for reward flights and upgrades. Status tiers are Red, Silver and Gold, earned with Tier Points; Silver and Gold members get SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus recognition. Program rules change, so check your account for the conditions that apply to your trip.

Flight status and customer service Official sources

For current operational information, use Virgin Atlantic's official services:

Virgin Atlantic website

virginatlantic.com for booking, check-in, trip management and flight status

Virgin Atlantic app

Available for iOS and Android, with mobile boarding passes and flight notifications

Where you land

Virgin Atlantic airports

Virgin Atlantic flies from two UK hubs. Most of its routes start at London Heathrow, so check the departure airport on your ticket before you book a transfer. It also flies a seasonal summer route between Edinburgh and Orlando.

London Heathrow Airport Hub

LHR · London

Virgin Atlantic's main hub and the base for most of its network to North America, the Caribbean, Mexico, India, Africa and Asia. Virgin Atlantic uses Terminal 3 at Heathrow, where it also has its Clubhouse lounge.